Tour de France 2020

I wasn’t sure, as I know early disc brakes were cable operated. I’ve been a Hope user for a long time on my full Susser, and I fully know the braking power a hydraulic disc brake has over any other bike brake...even the old Magura hydraulic rim brakes

I know that they used to be cable operated, but hydraulic has been available for a while. I know which of the two options I’d prefer.
 
Is the Manx Missile participating?

Did I hear right that Froome and Thomas were not selected this year by Brailsford?
 
Is the Manx Missile participating?

Did I hear right that Froome and Thomas were not selected this year by Brailsford?
Cav’s not in

Froome isn’t ready after his crash last year
Thomas is going for one of the other Grand Tours, can’t remember which.
 
Discs have been around for a while now and pretty much standard on all road bikes now. Also all of the shifters these days on the TDF bikes will be electronic, small battery located in the frame near the crank (to keep to the 6.8kg minimum bike weight) You can get these on road bikes, just damn expensive!

I love the TDF, still amazes me they can ride for 200km, then do it again, and again and again for 2 weeks. Mental, I cant walk the next day after 150km!!

Also the sheer speed of them, watching yesterday, there was an uphill section, not a hill in their eyes, but steep enough. they were going 23-25kmh! That is a lot of 'Sunday cafe rider' flat road, quick pace! On a proper quick ride, I may average 32kmh, but that's 50km max and flat! Amazes me the performance..

Plus the scenery is out of this world.
I know, it's mental! They average somewhere around 22-23mph over the course of 2000 miles. I can barely reach that never mind average it :oops:
 
I know, it's mental! They average somewhere around 22-23mph over the course of 2000 miles. I can barely reach that never mind average it :oops:

I can reach it! just need a favorable hill!! :D

Its some of the speeds downhill too, my record is 82kmh which is about 50mph, man that feels fast on a bike!!! these guys must top this on a descent!
 
I can reach it! just need a favorable hill!! :D

Its some of the speeds downhill too, my record is 82kmh which is about 50mph, man that feels fast on a bike!!! these guys must top this on a descent!
I've got the brakes on long before that! I had a motorbike crash at around 35mph with protective clothing on and ended up in hospital for 2 weeks and off work for 12. Lycra ain't going to offer much protection :cry:
 
I've got the brakes on long before that! I had a motorbike crash at around 35mph with protective clothing on and ended up in hospital for 2 weeks and off work for 12. Lycra ain't going to offer much protection :cry:

Yeh I have had 'Gravel therapy' as my dad used to call it. It's not fun! Especially when your dad is helping scrub out the bits with a nail brush and antiseptic.
 
22mph in a bunch on the flat isn't that hard to maintain, its the speed these guys go uphill that really shows and sets them apart from mere mortals, and the tv doesn't really show just how steep some of those climbs are, you're average cyclist would be off and pushing not far from the start of the climb. Back in the day when I used to race a bit our little group got joined for a few miles by a local semi-pro team out for a training ride. We were riding along with them quite happily on the flat bits, but when we got to a hill they gave us a quick wave and a 'cheers lads' and off they went. The really annoying thing was as they disappeared into the distance we could see them happily chatting away to each other, whilst we were breathing through our eyeballs!
 
Always loved the TdF, and a trip last year to Mt Ventoux whilst on holiday with a cycling nut friend (he went up; I only cycled down!!) got me into cycling.

As a relative newbie been enjoying being out on my bike all during lockdown and am training for Ventoux again next year..........maybe!! ?

As for the TdF this year, interesting to see how it all pans out. Pity Froome, Thomas and Cavendish didn't make it from a British perspective.
 
Always loved the TdF, and a trip last year to Mt Ventoux whilst on holiday with a cycling nut friend (he went up; I only cycled down!!) got me into cycling.

As a relative newbie been enjoying being out on my bike all during lockdown and am training for Ventoux again next year..........maybe!! ?

As for the TdF this year, interesting to see how it all pans out. Pity Froome, Thomas and Cavendish didn't make it from a British perspective.


down rather up definitely sounds more my style too :)
 
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